Process for producing benzo (a) quinolizine derivatives

Abstract

Compounds are prepared with anti-amoeba activity of the following formula: <IMAGE> wherein R1 equals R2 and each is lower alkyl and R3 and R4 are each lower alkyl, with the proviso that R1 and R2 are not methyl and R3 and R4 are not both ethyl.

We claim: 
     
       1. A process for preparing a compound of the formula: ##STR14## wherein R 1  is the same as R 2  and each is lower alkyl and R 3  and R 4  are each lower alkyl, with the proviso that R 1  and R 2  are not methyl and R 3  and R 4  are not both ethyl, which comprises the steps of: reducing an unsaturated ester of the formula ##STR15## wherein R is a lower alkyl with diisobutyl-aluminum-hydride to an aldehyde of the formula: ##STR16## and condensing the compound thus obtained with β-(3-hydroxy-4-lower alkoxy-phenyl)-ethyl amine and alkylating the compound of the formula: ##STR17## thus obtained. 
     
     
       2. A process for preparing a compound of the following formula: ##STR18## wherein R 1  is the same as R 2  and each is lower alkyl and R 3  and R 4  are different from each other and are each lower alkyl, which comprises the steps of: reducing an unsaturated ester of the general formula: ##STR19## wherein R is a lower alkyl group, with diisobutyl-aluminum-hydride to an aldehyde of the formula: ##STR20## and condensing the compound thus obtained with β-(3-hydroxy-4-lower alkoxy-phenyl)-ethyl amine and alkylating the compound of the formula: ##STR21## thus obtained.